Cutting device



D. KNOWLER CUTTING DEVICE Sept. 26, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24, 1947 ..ll I IIII IIIIIII v VEAV TMR 8W 420M 7 J- ATTORNEY Sept. 26, 1950 D. KNOWLER CUTTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 24, 1947 INVEAVTMR D. KNOWLER Sept. 26, 1950 CUTTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 24, 1947 CM n. JMwM /L ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in a cutting device, as described in the present specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part of the same.

The invention consists essentially of the novel features of construction as pointed out broadly and specifically in the claims for novelty following a description containing an explanation in detail of an acceptable form of the invention.

lhe objects of the invention are to devise means for cutting discs and irregular shapes from sheet material of various types; to furnish a cutting device having means for holding the material to be out; to facilitate the removal of the discs or irregular shapes from sheets of material after cutting the same; to make a cutting device simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture; to speed-up the cutting of flat shapes and discs; to render the cutting device easily adjustable for cutting, different sizes of discs and the like; to construct a. cutting device which may be readily adapted for various types of work; and generally to'provide a cutting device which will be durable; dependable and efficient for its purpose.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view of the cutting device.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view as taken on the line 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial transverse sectional View as taken on the line 33 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device with the motor omitted.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional pla View as taken On the line 55 in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional plan View as taken on the line S--6,in Figure 1.

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail view as taken on the line l--'l in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a 2 lower ends thereof and a tubular member 26 which is fitted over the upper portion of each of the same. The top plate 2'! is secured on the upper ends of the rods and held in position by the tubular members 26.

The rotating head 28 consists of the hollow spindle 29 which is rotatably mounted in the movable support plate30 and in the centre support plate 3i. The rotating member 32 is fixedly secured on the lower end of the hollow spindle 29 and has the shaft portions 33 and 34 extending outward horizontally therefrom. The circular knives 35 and 36 are rotatably mounted on the shaft portions 33 and 34, respectively, of the rotating member 32. The bearings 37 in each of the knives 35 and 36 permit free rotation of the rotating head adapted for cutting irregular shapes. 7

Figure 9 is a sectional View as taken on the line 9-9 in Figure 8.

Like numerals or reference indicate corresponding parts in thevarious figures.

Referring to the drawings, the cutting device is mounted on a base plate as indicated by the numeral l5. The support plate is is located above the base plate l5 and supported thereon by the channel members ll, l8, l9 and 2-8. The upright members 2|, 22, 23 and were fixedly secured in the supportplate. i6 and extend upward therefrom. These'upright members each consist of a rod 2-5. which is turned down at the upper and latter on the shaft portions 33 and 34, respectively, andthe washers or shims 38 in co-operation with the nuts 39 permit lateral adjustment of these knives. The balls 40 and 4! are rotatably mounted on the rotating member 32 and provide further means of guiding the circular knives 35 and 36, respectively.

The clamping rod 42 is slidably fitted in the hollow spindle 29 and extends outward past the upper and lower ends thereof. Aclearance is provided between the inner wall of the hollow spindle and the clamping rod 42 and the upper and lower ends of this hollow spindle is fitted with the bushings 43 and 44 which provide a means of guiding the clamping rod. The clamping plate 45 is suitably secured on the lower end of the clamping rod 42 and the latter has means on the lower end thereof for centralizing the same with respect to the foot stock 46.

The knock-out member or plate 41 has the stem 48 extending downward therefrom and through the support plate Hi. This knock-out member 4'! is suitably shaped to fit flush with the upper surface of the foot stock- 46 and adapted to be raised upward so as to eject the, cut piece from the sheet of material. The lower end of the stem 48 has the ring 49 fixedly secured thereon and the compressor spring 50 exerts a downward pressure on the same thus maintaining the knock-outmember 47 in position in the foot stock 46. The cam 5! is fixedlysecured on the horizontal shaft 52 l and adapted to engage the ring 49 on the lower end of the stem 48 so as to raise the knock-out member 41 when required.

The upper portion of the hollow spindleZQ is externally threaded and adapted to have the lift member or plate 53 fixedly secured thereon. This lifting member is in the form of a circular disc and has an annular recess 54 extending inward from the periphery thereof. The bearing pads 55 are suitably fitted in the annular recess 54 in the lifting member The pins 56 engage in the bearing pads 55 and are adapted to be raised and lowered by the eccentrics 51 in co-operation with the lifting means 58 in which the latter operate. These lifting means each have a square pin 59 suitably fitted therein. These pins travel up and down in slots in the support brackets 58A thereby preventing the lifting members 58 from turning and thus affecting a vertical movement. As the lifting member 53 is raised and lowered the hollow spindle 29 actuates the rotating head .28, thus providing a means of raising or lowering the circular knives 35 and 36. The eccentrics are suitably supported and connected to the pinions 60 which are mounted in the support brackets 50A. These pinions, in turn, are engaged by the worm gears 6| which are mounted on the vertical shafts I3.

The sprocket 62' is rotatably mounted on the hollow spindle 29 and adapted to be engaged by the clutch 63 of which the upper plate is keyed on this spindle. The clutch I33 and sprocket 62 are suitably retained in position by means of the bracket 64 which is mounted on the centre support plate 3|.

The upper portion of the clamping rod 42 has the lifting plate or member 65 fixedly secured thereon and the upper end of the former extends upward through the top plate 21. The spring 66 exerts a downward pressure on the lifting plate 65 thus tending to lower the clamping plate 45.

The brackets 61 are fixedly secured to the upper surface of the lifting plate 65 and extend upward therefrom. These brackets 6'! are engaged by the brackets 68 which are substantially secured to the lower surface of the top plate 21, thus preventing the lifting plate 65 from turning. The underside of the lifting plate 65 is engaged by the pair of cams 69 which are suitably supported and connected to the pinions I6. These pinions, in turn, are engaged by the worm gears II which are mounted on the vertical shafts I2. In this respect, the cams 69 are adapted to raise the lifting plate 85 which, in turn, raises the clamping rod 42 and clamping plate 45.

The motor I4 is mounted on the base plate I5 and is suitably connected to the clutch "I5. The bevel gear I6 on the clutch 15 engages the bevel gear TI on the vertical shaft I9. This vertical shaft in turn, is connected to the coupling shaft I9 by means of the bevel gears 80 and BI, respectively. The coupling shaft "I9 is rotatably mounted in the bracket 82 and provides a connection between the vertical shaft I8 and the horizontal drive shaft 93. The bevel gears 84 and 85 engage one another so as to form a connection between the coupling shaft I9 and the horizontal drive shaft 83, respectively.

The horizontal drive shaft 83 is rotatably supported above the top plate 21 and is adapted to drive the various mechanisms of the device.

The shaft 86 in co-operation with the bevel gears 81 and 88 is driven by the horizontal drive shaft 83. This shaft 86 has the sprocket 89 fixedly secured on the lower portion thereof which is connected to the sprocket 62 by the chain 90. The shaft 86 extends through the centre support plate 3| and has the sprocket 9I substantially secured on the lower end thereof. This sprocket 9| is connected to the sprocket 92 on the shaft 93 by means of the chain 94. The shaft 93 is journalled in the housing 95 and extends downward through the support plate I6.

piece of material.

4 The worm gear on the lower end of the shaft 93 engages the pinion 9'! on the horizontal shaft 52. This shaft 52 is rotatably mounted in the brackets 99 and I00 and has the cam 5| fixedly secured thereon which operates the knock-out member 41.

The horizontal drive shaft 83 is connected to the vertical shafts I3 on each side of the lifting member 53 by the bevel gears I M and I02, respectively, thus providing a means of raising the rotating head. 28.

The horizontal drive shaft 03 is connected to the vertical shafts 12 on each side of the lifting plate 65 by the bevel gears I03 and I04, respectively, thus providing a means of raising the clamping rod 42 and clamping plate 45.

The table I05 on which the material is placed before cutting has an opening in the central portion thereof and is supported adjacent to the upper surface of the foot stock 46 by the channels I06 and I01. The table I05 and these channels I06 and I0! have the slots I08 in same. The guide angles I09 and H0 are adjustably secured on the table I05 by the bolts II I which engage the slots I08 in same. These guide angles are adapted to guide the material on the table I05 as the same is fed into position for cutting. The chute H2 is suitably located at one side of the table so as to facilitate removing the cut pieces therefrom.

The rotating head I I3 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is adapted for cutting irregular shapes. The circular knives H4 and H5 are similar to those as hereinbefore described except for the manner in which the same are mounted. In this respect the circular knives are rotatably and slidably fitted .on the movable shafts H6 and III. The compression springs I I8 bearing against the nuts H9 and these circular knives tend to force the latter inward with respect to the rotating head H3. The movable shafts H6 and II! are pivotally mounted in the rotating head member I20 which, in turn, is mounted on the hollow spindle 29. The tension springs I2I are connected to the rotating head member I20 and to the shoulder plates I22 and I23 which are fixedly secured to the movable shafts H6 and Ill. These tension springs I2I are adapted to return the movable shafts II6 and II I to a neutral position when permissible during the cutting operation of an irregular shape. The clamping plate or member I24 is suitably secured on the lower end of the clamping rod 42 and has the auxiliary clamp plate or guide plate I25 movably secured on the under side thereof. This auxiliary clamp plate is made the size and shape of the material to be cut and the circular knives H4 and H5 are adapted to follow the contour therearound.

In the operation of the invention the material to be cut is placed on the table or support I05 and the clamping plate 45 is lowered so as to hold the material in position on the foot stock 46.

The rotating head 28 which is driven by the sprocket 62, is lowered and as the same rotates the circular knives 35 and 36, which are free turning on their respective shafts travel around the clamping plate 45 thus cutting the desired When the material has been cut the clamping plate 45 and rotating head 28 raise and the cam 5I actuates the stem 48 thus raising the knock-out member 41 and ejecting the cut piece or disc therefrom. The clamping plate 45 is connected to the clamping rod 42 which extends upward through the hollow spindle 29 and a suitable distance therebeyond. The

means of bevel gears.

upper portion of this clamping rod 42 is engaged by the lifting plate 65 and the spring 66 exerts a downward pressure on this lifting plate thus tending to lower the clamping plate 45. The brackets G'l which are fixedly secured to the upper surface of the lifting plate 65 and extend upward therefrom are engaged by the brackets 68 which are suitably secured to thelower surface of the top plate 2? thus preventing the lifting plate 65 from turning. The underside of the lifting plate 65 is engaged by a pair of cams 69 which in turn are connected to pinions 10. These pinions are engaged by the worm gears ll which are mounted on the Vertical shaft 52 thereby providing a means of operating the cam 69 which raises the lifting plate 65, and which, in turn, effects an upward movement relative to the clamping rod 42 and clamping plate 45. The vertical shafts T2 are connectedto the horizontal drive shaft 83 by means of the bevel gears [03 and IE4 thereby providing a means of driving these vertical shafts and accordingly operating the lifting mechanism for the clamping plate 45.

The rotating head 28 is connected to the hollow spindle 29 which is rotatably mounted in themovable support plate 36 and extends upward through the center support plate 3|. The upper portion of this hollow spindle 29 is suitably secured to the lifting member 53 which is in the form of a circular plate and has an annular re-- cess extending inward from the periphery thereof. The bearing pads 55 are suitably fitted in the annular recess in the periphery of the lifting member 53, and pins 56 engage in these bearing pads. These ins 55 are secured to the lifting means 58 which, in turn, is raised and lowered by the eccentrics 5?. These lifting means each have a square pin 59 suitably fitted therein which engage in slots in the support bracket 58A.

The eccentrics 51 which are connected to the pin-- ions 6H3 are turned by the engagement of the latter by worm gears 6| which are mounted on the vertical shafts l3. These vertical shafts 13, are connected to the horizontal drive shaft 83 by a sprocket 62 rotatably mounted thereon and adapted to be engaged by the clutch 63 of which the upper plate is keyed on the hollow spindle. The clutch 63 engages the sprocket 62 upon the lowering of the lifting member 53, the hollow spindle 29 and the rotating head 28 thereby bringing the cutters of the latter in contact with the material to be out and effecting the rotation of the cutting head. The device is so timed that the clamping plate is lowered on the material and immediately after this has been lowered the cutting head 28 is brought down and comes into contact with the material. After the material The hollow spindle 29 has has been cut the clamping means is raised and I then the cutting head moves upward immediately thereafter. Each of these operations is completed in one revolution of the pinions TB and 6B andthese pinions are rotated at exactly the same speed by means of the set of bevel gears IM and the bevel gears Hi3 and 104. In cutting irregular shapes the rotating head ll3'is mounted in position with respect to the device and the desired shape of guide plate I25 is secured to the clamping member I24. In this respect the circular knives H4 and H5 are movably mounted on the rotating head member I20 which permits the same to follow the periphery of the guide plate as they travel therearound.

The foot stock 46 coincides with the shape and size of the clamping plate at all times so as to facilitate cutting the desired disc or irregular shape.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a cutting device has been provided into which sheets of material may be fed so that the same may be easily cut into discs or irregular shapes.

What I claim is:

1. In a cutting device, a support adapted to ac- V commodate sheet material, clamping means adapted to be lowered for securing the material in position on said support, a rotating head adapted to be raised and lowered, circular knives rotatably supported on said rotating head, means on said rotating head determining th position of said circular knives with respect to the same, means for raising said clamping means after the material is cut, and means for ejecting the out piece from the sheet of material.

2. In a cutting device, a table adapted to support sheet material thereon, a foot stock, said table having an opening therein suitably located with respect to said foot stock, a clamping plate adapted to be lowered for securing the material 'in position on said foot stock, a rotating head adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to said table, circular knives rotatablysupported on said rotating head, means for operating said rotating head, means for'raising said clamping plate after completion of the cutting operation, and a knock-out member adapted to eject the shaped piece from the sheet of material.

3. Ina cutting device, a table adapted to support sheet material thereon, a foot stock, said table having an opening therein suitably located with respect to said foot stock, a clamping rod, a clamping plate suitably secured on the lower end of said clamping rod, a spring adapted'to exert downward pressure on said clamping rod lifting means substantially secured to said clamping rod, and adapted to raise the same, a rotating head adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to said table, circular knives rotatably supported on said rotating head, and a knockout member adapted to eject the shaped pieces from the sheet of material.

4. In a cutting device, a table adapted to support sheet material thereon, a foot stock, said table having an opening therein suitably located with respect to said foot stock, a clamping rod, a clamping plate suitably secured on the lower end of said clamping rod, a spring adapted to exert downward pressure on said clamping rod, lifting means substantially secured to said clamping rod and adapted to raise the same, a hollow spindle extendingover a portion of said clamping rod, a rotating head suitably secured on the lower end of said hollow spindle, a lifting member suitably secured to the upper portion of said hollow spindle and adapted to raise said rotating modate sheet material thereon, a foot stock, said table having an opening therein suitably located with respect to said foot stock, a clamping rod, a clamping plate suitably secured on the lower end of said clamping rod, a spring adapted to exert downward pressure on said clamping rod,

lifting means substantially secured to said clamping rod and adapted to raise the same, a hollow spindle extending over a portion of said clamping rod, a rotating head suitably secured on the lower end of said hollow spindle, a lifting member suitably secured to the upper portion of said hollow spindle and adapted to raise said rotating head, circular knives rotatably supported on said rotating head, a knock-out member accommodated in said foot stock and adapted to eject the shaped pieces from the sheets of material, and said motor being adapted to indirectly operate said clamping plate, said rotating head and said knock-out member.

6. In a cutting device, a base plate, a top plate, upright members substantially secured to said base plate and said top plate, a motor mounted on said base plate, a support plate secured to said upright members, a table adapted to support sheet material thereon, guides movably secured on said table, a foot stock adapted to form a supporting means in co-operation with said table, a clamping rod, a clamping plate suitably secured on the lower end of said clamping rod, a spring adapted to exert downward pressure on said clamping rod, a lifting member substantially secured to said clamping rod, cams adapted to engage said lifting member for raising said clamping rod, said cams being suitably operated by said motor, a hollow spindle, a rotating head fixedly secured on said hollow spindle, circular knives rotatably mounted on said rotating head, a lifting plate substantially secured to said hollow spindle, lifting means, eccentrics adapted to engage said lifting means for raising said rotating head, said eccentrics being suitably operated by said motor, a clutch adapted to engage said hollow spindle for turning said rotating head, a knock-out member slidably accommodated in said foot stock and adapted to eject the shaped pieces from the sheets of material, a cam engaging said knock-out member and adapted to raise the same, said cam being suitably operated by said motor, and a spring adapted to exert downward pressure on said knock-out member,

'7. In a cutting device, a table adapted to support sheet material thereon, a foot stock, said table having an opening therein suitably located with respect to said foot stock, a clamping rod, a clamping plate suitably secured on the lower end of said clamping rod, a spring adapted to exert downward pressure on said clamping rod, lifting means substantially secured to said clamping rod and adapted to raise the same, a rotating head adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to said table, movable shafts suitably supported in said rotating head, circular knives rotatably and slidably mounted on said movable shafts, spring means holding said movable shafts under tension with respect to said rotating head, spring means exerting lateral tension on said circular knives with respect to said movable shafts, a auxiliary clamp plate suitably secured on th under side of said clamping plate, said auxiliary clamp plate being the shape and size of the shaped piece to be cut, said circular knives being adapted to engage the periphery of said auxiliary clamp plate and follow the contour therearound, and a knock-out member slidably accommodated in said foot stock and adapted to eject the shaped pieces from the sheets of material after the cutting thereof.

8. In a cutting device, a table adapted to support sheet material thereon, a foot stock, said table having an opening therein suitably located with respect to said foot stock, a clamping rod, a clamping plate suitably secured on the lower end of said clamping rod, a spring adapted to exert downward pressure on said clamping rod, lifting means substantially secured to said clamping rod and adapted to raise the same, a rotating head adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to said table, movable shafts pivotally supported in said rotating head, circular knives rotatably and slidably mounted on said movable shafts, compression springs bearing against said circular knives tending to force the same inward with respect to said rotating head, tension springs connected to said rotating head and to said movable shafts, said tension springs being adapted to return said movable shafts to a neutral position when permissible during the cutting operation, an auxiliary clamp plate suitably secured on the under side of said clamping plate said auxiliary clamp plate being the shape and size of the shaped piece to be cut, said circular knives being adapted to ngage the periphery of said auxiliary clamp plate and follow the contour therearound, and a knock-out member slidably accommodated in said foot-stock and adapted to eject the shaped pieces from the sheets of material after the cutting thereof.

DAVID KNOWLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,985,356 Van Cleef Dec. 25, 1934 2,266,527 Wimmer Dec. 16, 1941 

